“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
–John F. Kennedy
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long stood as a crucial pillar of American global leadership, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to humanitarian values, fostering stability, and advancing its strategic interests worldwide. Yet, as the calendar turns towards 2025, this vital institution faces an unprecedented threat, with its operations effectively dismantled by the current administration. The urgent task for the next Democratic president and Congress will be nothing less than its comprehensive restoration and sustained protection.
USAID is not merely a charitable arm; it is a fundamental component of U.S. national security and foreign policy. By investing in global health, education, clean water, and economic development, USAID projects a positive image of America, building trust and fostering alliances that are otherwise unattainable. When the U.S. supports struggling nations, it is seen as a leader and partner, differentiating it from nations that seek influence through coercion. This “soft power” helps prevent the very instability and chaos that can ultimately threaten American safety and prosperity at home. A stable, developing world is a safer world for the United States, encouraging cooperation and expanding markets.
A Legacy of Life and Stability
From its establishment in 1961 until its effective dismantling in early 2025, USAID was the primary U.S. government agency for distributing foreign aid. Its historical focus spanned a wide array of programs: global health (including HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health), humanitarian assistance (disaster relief, food aid), economic development, democracy and governance, education, and environmental protection.
The impact of these efforts is profound and undeniable. In fiscal year 2024 (FY2024), USAID provided assistance to approximately 130 countries, primarily benefiting low- and lower-middle-income nations across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia, with Ukraine being a significant recipient in FY2023. A recent study published in The Lancet estimated that USAID programs over the past two decades prevented over 91 million deaths globally, including a staggering 30 million child deaths. These are not abstract numbers; these are lives saved, families strengthened, and communities given a chance at a healthier future. Specific successes include dramatic reductions in mortality from diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and critical responses to natural disasters and food crises.
The Dismantling and Its Perilous Consequences
The current administration’s actions represent a radical departure from this legacy. In January 2025, most USAID foreign assistance programs were frozen, followed by the announcement of the cancellation of 83% of its programs. Remaining operations are being absorbed by the State Department, a move that critics warn could severely compromise the agency’s operational independence and specialized expertise in development and humanitarian aid. Deep cuts to critical areas like maternal and child health, disease surveillance, and family planning threaten to reverse decades of progress.
The potential consequences are dire. Organizations like Oxfam and leading medical journals like The Lancet warn that these cuts could lead to millions of preventable deaths, increased suffering in vulnerable communities, and a significant weakening of U.S. influence abroad. When America retreats from its humanitarian and development leadership, a vacuum is created, often filled by actors whose interests do not align with democratic values or global stability.
Investment, Not Charity: The Mattis Doctrine
The notion that foreign aid is simply “charity” misses a crucial strategic point. As General Jim Mattis emphasized in 2013, while serving as Commander of the U.S. Central Command, there is a direct connection between diplomacy and military action. He famously suggested that investing more in the State Department’s diplomatic efforts—a category that includes USAID’s work—could “potentially decrease the need for military intervention and spending.” Mattis’s “cost-benefit ratio” highlights that proactive engagement through development and diplomacy is often a far more cost-effective way to address global challenges before they escalate into conflicts requiring massive military outlays.
USAID’s spending, while significant in its impact, is a minor fraction of the overall federal budget. In fiscal year 2024, USAID managed over $35 billion in combined appropriations, representing more than one-third of the total funds provided in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriation. Yet, this entire sum represented a mere 0.3% of the total federal spending of $6.78 trillion. To put it in perspective, the U.S. plans to spend over $886 billion on defense in 2025. Foreign aid is not a drain; it is a strategic investment that helps keep America safe by fostering stable partners and reducing the breeding grounds for extremism and conflict.
A Vision for Permanent Protection: The $500 Billion Trust
To truly restore America’s leadership and ensure the developing world can depend on American help, the next U.S. president and Congress should do more than simply reinstate USAID’s funding. They should establish a $500 billion trust fund to keep USAID fully funded forever. This endowment would insulate USAID from political whims, ensuring that vital aid keeps flowing, no matter the shifting tides of electoral politics. It would demonstrate an unwavering commitment to America’s role as a “shining city on a hill,” a beacon of hope and assistance.
Such a trust fund would send an unmistakable message to the world: the U.S. is a reliable partner, dedicated to global well-being and long-term stability. It would solidify America’s influence, strengthen its alliances, and ensure that the U.S. remains a positive force and an influential voice at home and abroad. The restoration and perpetual funding of USAID are not just matters of policy; they are moral imperatives and strategic necessities for securing America’s future in a complex world.